![Dark Clouds rolling in]()
Dark Clouds moving in![Quick lunch as the storm rolled in]()
Quick lunch on the ridgeRushing home from campus I was filled with excitment! I was finally able to get some time to myself to get in a hike this busy semester! I was headed up to my favorite spot, the Metacomet ridge in Connecticut. It was cloudy out and there was a chance of rain but that didn't keep me from heading to the ridge to relax and admire the fall scenery and make lunch.
The hike up was great and it was nice a cool out with a light breeze. Visability was poor, however, off the west side of the mountain and it was a bit disapointing as I had hoped to get a birds eye view of the fall colors. It took about an hour to hike up and the minute I got to the ridge things started to go downhill.
Thick, dark clouds began to move in from the south and faint booms of thunder went off in the distance every now and then. I didn't think much of it at first...just a few clouds, maybe it'd rain a bit... I wasn't going to let a few clouds ruin my day! Especially since this was the first time that I was able to get away from a damn book or classroom since the semester started!
![Heavy winds on the ridge]()
Heavy winds and rain move in
I sat down on the rocky ledge and started cooking lunch and a steady wind began to pick up very quickly with incredible gusts, I'd say at least 30-40 mph gusts. Then the rain came... along with some closers booms of thunder. Realizing I was 900 feet up and it was getting stormy I wasn't too comfortable holding my metal pot and spoon, so I ate as quickly as possible.
As I packed up after eating the rain really started coming down, it was almost raining sideways at one point and the thunder was getting loud too. The wind was just incredible and the rocky ridge became slick and dangerous to walk on. I spent a few minutes just standing on the ridge holding my arms out in the wind, then the thunder booms were right overhead. I wasn't too worried about lightning as I started back...had to keep my mind on making sure I didn't slip on the ridge and take the 70 to 80 foot plunge to the forest floor!
The hour long hike back to my car was tough. The wind and rain came right through the trees and the trail was covered in slippery leaves. Took a spill a couple of times on the trail and was soaking wet when all was said and done. Certainly was a fun little adventure...especially since Connecticut doesn't offer up to many of those...
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